Messi sets new record with hat trick in victory

AP - BARCELONA, SPAIN – Lionel Messi scored a hat trick to emphatically break the Spanish League’s all-time scoring mark in Barcelona’s 5-1 win over Sevilla on Saturday.

Messi, already Barcelona’s all-time scorer, surpassed Athletic Bilbao great Telmo Zarra’s milestone of 251 goals that had stood untouched since 1955.
Messi equaled Zarra’s mark in the 21st minute and added goals in the 72nd and 78th to claim the record for himself.
“I have never seen a player like Leo,” Barcelona coach Luis Enrique said. “He is beyond comparison, one of a kind, never to be seen again. We are lucky to have him here, to enjoy him, and to see where he leaves this record.”
Messi’s record-setting effort eclipsed rival Cristiano Ronaldo becoming the first player to reach 20 goals in the first 12 rounds of a season after he scored twice to keep Real Madrid at the top of the table with a 4-0 win at Eibar.
Madrid leads Barcelona by two points with Atletico Madrid four points adrift after the defending champion beat 10-man Malaga 3-1 at home.
Also, former Manchester United coach David Moyes debuted as Real Sociedad’s new manager with a 0-0 draw at Deportivo La Coruna. Both sides were left one point above the relegation zone.